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How about summer in Chile for a change? The Andes
range in Chile could provide an interesting alternative to New
Zealand or Australia. The Chilean resorts are great for
the adventurous who don’t mind going to out-of-the-way
places where they can hit the slopes in August! The
good thing about it is that the uncrowded slopes almost guarantee
you’ll be getting in plenty of turns rather than standing
in long lift lines. If you’re looking for glamorous
resorts and expensive boutiques this will not be the place for
you.
Some of the most popular and well known Chilean resorts are
the three interconnecting resorts of El Colorado, La Parva, and
Valle Nevado and also Portillo resort. The season runs
from approx. mid-June to Mid-October. The winters are similar
to those in Europe and the USA, but usually with a high percentage
of sunny days. The U.S. and European ski teams regularly
go to Chile for their summer training camps.
Other ski areas and resorts in Chile include: Antillanca,
Antuco, Cerro Mirador, Chapa Verde, El Fraile, Lagunillas
and Las Araucarias. For a bit more excitement and lower
altitude skiing on an active volcano you could try Chillan and
Villaruca-Pucon in the southern part of Chile.
Web site: www.chileanski.com
Travel
Information about Chile
Ski Chile
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cover for medical expenses and ski injuries including air ambulance
from the slopes if needed. Click
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El Colorado
El Colorado Ski Centre is located in the Andes, approx 25 miles
from Santiago. This resort is interconnected with La Parva
and Valle Nevado. Being almost 11,000 feet above sea level,
you will find some of the best skiing around. The area
offers plenty of restaurants and accommodation, rentals and lessons. There
are 22 ski runs with more beginner and intermediate runs than
advanced. The longest run is over 4km. There are
18 lifts and a tubing park.
La Parva
La Parva is the resort located in the Central Andes, close
to Santiago, approx. 25 miles away and part of the three valleys
system with El Colorado and Valle Nevado. It’s a
scenic area with views across a valley. The area is open
for skiers, boarders and for back country and heli-skiing. The
area has full amenities with restaurants and accommodations. There
are 20 runs which interconnect with Valle Nevado. The longest
run is 2.5 miles. There are 14 lifts (including 2 quads
and 1 triple, 1 double). Snowshoeing is also available.
Web site: www.skilaparva.cl
Portillo
The ski area at Portillo is probably the best known in Chile,
located close to the Argentinian border, two hours from Santiago,
with a highest skiing elevation of approx. 10,860 feet. It
is Chile’s oldest ski resort, having been in existence
for close to 60 years. It is regularly used by U.S. and
European ski teams for summer training. The resort offers
a vertical drop of approx. 2,665 feet with the longest run approx.
two miles. Ski in/ski out access. There is
plenty of variety of terrain for beginners (lessons available
for skiers and boarders) intermediates and advanced and expert
skiers. Portillo is known for great powder skiing as well
as off-piste areas.
Web site: www.skiportillo.com
Termas de
Chillan
Termas de Chillan resort is located on the scenic Chillan volcano
and is a year round resort and spa, located on the south side
of the Andes Mountains, approx. 300 miles to the south of Santiago. It
offers a wide variety of terrain for all levels of skiers, as
well as groomed trails for cross country skiing. You can
ski above the treeline, or through trees or enjoy any of the
28 groomed runs, or cruise the long 8 mile run. Skiable
terrain covers 22 miles with a vertical drop of 3,610 feet. There
are 9 lifts (including 1 triple and 3 doubles). The mountain
is open for skiers and boarders with a boarding park, plus Nordic
trails. Snowmobiling and dog sledding are also available. As
the name suggests, the resort has natural thermal baths.
Web site: www.chileanski.com
Valle Nevado
Valle Nevado is the newest and largest resort in Chile and
popular with Argentinian and Brazilian skiers. Located
approx. 35 miles from Santiago in the heart of the Andes. Valley
Nevado is part of the three valleys system along with El Colorado
and La Parva. There are approx. 23,000 acres of skiable
terrain including 9,000 acres of riding, 34 groomed runs and
good off piste skiing. The runs are open and there
are some bowls with great views of El Plomo Peak. This
is a popular place, with regular international competitions held
there. Helicopter skiing/boarding is available with a helicopter
on site. They also have a super half-pipe. Ski and
boarding lessons are available from experienced and multilingual
staff and mountain guides. Their 11 lifts include
a hi-speed detachable quad chair. Vertical drop of 2,657
feet. Snowmaking facilities. The highest elevation
is over 12,000 feet, with the base at over 9,000 feet. Skier
levels are approx. 11% beginner, 30%intermediate, 40% advanced
and 19% expert.
Web site: www.chileanski.com |
